Gothic Architecture - Essay Example

The beginning of Gothic architecture was one which was used specifically in response to the past buildings which were created. The expressions developed were defined by breaking out of the alternative architecture while evolving with some of the ideologies which were expected as a part of the architecture…

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The characteristics of Gothic architecture gave the specific definition which was related to what is often referred to as the French style, beginning in the 12th century and going through the 16th century. The architecture was most often used as a high art and was created for cathedrals, castles, palaces and other governmental buildings. Many often referred to the style as one which was regarded as belonging to higher powers, which was why it was used for these specific types of buildings. The original term was created by Giorgio Vasari in 1530 in response to a culture which was considered rude. Most during this time believed that the group should be outcast. To represent this, different symbols were used to show that vandals and others within society shouldn’t be present in specific buildings. The architecture of the building is then made to symbolize the individuals which should not enter into a given place (Glaser, 15). The main beliefs and descriptions with the Gothic architecture then led into concepts which were associated with the symbolic meaning that was created, most which was in reference to the Christian and high quality attributes which would not welcome others within the region. The features which were used, inclusive of ornate structures and intricate decor became some of the defining parts of the architecture. ...
The main focus was designed with both a vertical emphasis, which pointed upwards as a symbol to the higher powers as well as with the concept of having as much light in the building as possible (Murray, p. 18). An example of the Gothic architecture can be seen in influences such as the Notre Dame church, as seen in figure 1. Figure 1: Church of Notre Dame In this figure, the elements of the Gothic can be seen. At the lower area, there are three arches which one can enter, all which are rounded. Each of the windows on the second level hold the ornate decor and the symbolism which was attributed with the time frame. The pointed arches on the side then combine with this to hold to the symbolism. When looking at the overall shape of the building, it can be seen that it is shaped like a cross with the same symbology. The interior has the same components with vertical archways and a central area in the back that has larger windows for sunlight. The Gothic style is one which not only holds the symbolism of the Church in relation to the Goth or barbaric culture and the religious influences of the time. The beginning time frame also carries several influences from the other architecture that was constructed during this time frame. The main type of architecture which was being built before this time frame was the Romanesque structures. The influence was based on the Roman style, which was inclusive of symmetrical designs and construction as well as the techniques which were used with the placement and building. It is known that the technique and style of building the Romanesque buildings were the main difference between the Gothic Style, specifically because of the belief in formalism that was a part of this time frame. The concept
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However, Goth cannot be confined within the aforementioned conditions. Goth has emerged also an architectural style that boomed in the 1200s. It flourished mostly in Europe but their influences are still somehow relevant until today. The architectural movement lasted for almost one and a half century and the edifices are still present until now.

Compare and Contrast Essay Tutor’s name Class name Date Introduction The world would be hard to understand without the history of visual art. The history of visual arts and movements has distinct differences with regard to their historic times. Architecture is one those artistic markers which played significant roles in understanding the evolution of visual arts.

France is blessed with plenty of limestone which is well suited to Cathedral building, but Southern England, with its red and brown sandstone, had to adapt some building techniques to suit this softer stone. York Minster, in the north of England, is made of a white colored type of limestone, and in Aberdeen there is a Cathedral made of granite.

This depicts architecture as a field that uses only forces such as harmony of design and engineering to encompass various features that drive people and regions. Ironically, architecture has been a field where fine art and engineering come together only to find nuances where it may function as a political and socio economic barometer.

The fictions o this tradition is especially noted for the environment it creates taking the readers from the ordinary, commonplace world to an unimagined, extra ordinary world where they can live with the characters and fly in the wings of fantasy. Gothic can be understood as a genre in which the particular mood created helps the reader to be taken to the sublime world of imagination. It is "a literary style popular during the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th. This style usually portrayed fantastic tales dealing with horror, despair, the grotesque and other "dark" subjects.

There were several parallel and almost independent cultural flows conditioned by the diversity and insularity of life in the medieval world throughout the European Middle Ages. Very rare cities with their nascent urban culture were located among the vast, partially processed spaces, where the predominant rural peasant culture had a place.

well as extending into the 16th century, the architecture was known, during that era, as "Opus Francigenum" (French work), with the name Gothic first emerging during the later period of the Renaissance. The Gothic characteristic features comprise of the pointed arch, the flying

The first example is Madeleine, Paris, Alexandre-Pierre Vignon, 1807, was a sanctified site dedicated to Mary Magdalene in 1182. During the French revolution in 1792-1804, the foundations of the sacred building

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